Strade Bianche

The absence of last year’s winner, Tadej Pogačar, will not change this Saturday’s Strade Bianche, Tom Pidcock has said.

- James Shrubsall, Adam Becket

Saturday 4 March | Siena, Italy

The Slovenian won the first three races he took part in this season, and as Ineos Grenadiers's Pidcock said, he "could probably win every race he starts".

However, due to the UAE Team Emirates rider's participation in Paris-Nice, which begins the next day, he will be absent from the race he won last year in dominant fashion, as he attacked from 50km out and soloed to the finish.

"Pogačar not being there doesn't change the race really, there are still going to be some good riders on the start line," Pidcock said. "Pogačar could probably win every race he starts this season. You don’t base your race off the competition.”

For this part, the Leeds-born rider will be aiming to challenge at the Tuscan event, at which he finished fifth on his only attempt in 2021. Last year, he was scheduled to take part on the white roads, but a stomach bug prevented him from taking to the startline.